On the Gulf Coast Oil Spill

I'd like to discuss the Gulf Coast oil-spill as an example of the nature of our public discussion in this country.

In the mainstream media, the spill was an enviromental Monica Lewinsky: it was reported on and analyzed endlessly. We watched days of video feed, saw countless blackened animals, and heard scientific analysis of every failed attempt to staunch the flow. As it went on for months, certain talking-heads even revealed the greedy and reckless behavior that led to the disaster. We also heard much discussion of the energy situation, and different ways to deal with it.

However, in the middle of the crisis, U.S. scientists made a major breakthrough destined to transform the future of energy on our planet: they created artifical bacteria capable of reproduction. This technology will probably in time be able to perform myriad important tasks, including creating abundant renewable energy. But the mainstream press gave the discovery virtually no coverage. Why? I'm guessing two of the reasons are that: 1.) It's a very controversial topic, which many educated people have a negative attitude toward. 2.) The practical applications will take years and years of further research.

Another related set of facts that wasn't reported on was that, all along, there were two highly unique submarines in Russia that were capable of quickly sealing the leak. All we had to do was ask the Russian government for help. The powers-that-be couldn't explain why not, so they kept it out of the national "free press"... as they do with so many stories and facts.

Details have certainly changed but at the end of the day, the lords of today's U.S.A. control the public consciousness nearly as completely as those of ancient Rome, medieval Europe, or communist Russia did.